The discussion centering on Exodus ends and the rest of the two hours were the discussion about political and diplomatic relations between the Kerias Kingdom, the Breille Kingdom, and the Sirius Kingdom.

The topics revolve around local commodities that each territory has and trade routes and the territorial affair that may arise in the future. Of course, disputes for the future are also predicted in the discussion coming into an impasse.

They need to consider the Mesola Kingdom in the field assuming that they liberate the land from Exodus’ clutches. Genesis didn’t have much knowledge of any local specialties and commodities for she was sheltered dutifully.

With the help of Alef and Mika on the subject together with Victoria, they were able to picture advantage and disadvantage of making a connection with the kingdom of Mesola. There also came the discussion of completely dissolving the whole territory and absorb it to any neighboring country.

Genesis doesn’t even disagree with the notion. She only shrugs when the topic almost escalated to destroying the very church itself that founded that kingdom.

Finally, as they concluded the topic concerning territories, the last topic took a huge turn. It has become on who will take custody of Genesis.

Despite everything and her desire to stop Exodus, she is still a woman who committed atrocious crimes in the past. She may not be a criminal in the territory of the Kerias Kingdom but her initial disposition dictates that she was able to give out orders to destroy a kingdom, specifically the Beast Kingdom Maelous.

However, it was also predetermined that Falikh himself will keep a reign on his own mother. It was planned ahead and it caused no friction in the decision, however, in a condition that someone will keep an eye to both Falikh and Genesis.

After all, Falikh is also played a huge part in the destruction of the Maelous Kingdom. Even the very Sovereign of the fallen Beast Kingdom, Olivia, did not have words to reject that fact.

And of course, the watcher they speak of is already determined.

As the meeting was adjourned, things became hectic, at least for the people governing the kingdom.

The words were immediately sent out to the nobles about the success of making connections with the two kingdoms. They expect uproars from the nobles since their words aren’t taken in for consideration in the matter. Rather, the nobles are furious as they lost the opportunity to lick the honey, at least, for those who have intentions for self-gain.

Thus, a whole lot of work for Aspara and for the Einhart Household…

Since time is essence and Exodus’ marked two months before her attack, Falikh and his band will spare no time.

That night at the Bandit Host Club Kerias Branch…

“Cheers!” Falikh shouted as he raised a mug full of foamy beer.

“Is this really fine?! Miss Reysha, say something! Miss Yrsha, please say something too!” Ivy howled with a distress on her face while she sat on a luxurious marbled sofa while holding a glass of cooled juice.

“…Let them. I don’t see anything wrong.” Reysha blatantly replied while relaxing on a couch with a hot cup of coffee.

“Eh? That’s not my job, okay? I’m just the watcher for Sir Falikh and Lady Genesis! Anything that they do will not be of my concern unless it is something destructive for my kingdom!~” Yrsha playfully replied while snuggling close to Spoof as they sat on a cushioned sofa.

“Uuu…” Spoof muttered. Having his voice returned accidentally by Exodus, he can now speak, though babbling.

“Isn’t this fine, Miss Ivy? It’s the club’s decree to enjoy every bit of passing time. Drinking and drowning ourselves to alcohol once in a while can be proven disastrous but also a valuable experience.” Teth came over and places a mug of beer in front of Ivy.

“Well…I still haven’t finished my juice yet, Sir Teth. Also, I’m glad that you are coming with us to the Sirius Kingdom. I can’t live without your food anymore!” Ivy places her juice on the table in front of her and gazes at the beer in front of her the oozes a sweet aroma that tickles her sense of smell.

“You easily gave in, Miss Ivy…” Lala, one of Meriyal’s knight, commented with an exasperated face. She was sitting beside Meriyal who are both wearing casual clothes to accommodate tonight’s party.

“Such an event isn’t bad, Lala. If you will, won’t you and Ries share a toast with me? After all, it’s inelegant for me to become a spoilsport.” Meriyal said with a faint smile on her lips while she herself indulges on the wine she elegantly sips.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Okay! Princ- I mean Meriyal, I’ll get more wine for us.” Ries energetically answered with a tone of warmth within her words as she referred to Meriyal not as the princess that she served but as the childhood friend that she grew up with.

“But…” Lala still has some lingering anxiousness.

“Oh, even monk drinks alcohol. Why not knights?” Marc the rogue monk passes by and offered words of wisdom which didn’t really sounded smart.

“Oh, I believe you are called Marc. Hey, you said you practices Ki, right?” Lala called out to Marc before he leaves.”

“Ah, yes. I’m a devout practitioner of the Learning of Brahma, the path of Preservation. Would you like to learn?” Marc offered.

“If you have time, please teach me.” Lala answered with a serious countenance. “I need more strength.” She followed.

“Yeah, the passion in your eyes are ****** commendable. IF you want to learn about magic and martial arts, Zirk is the man. You can talk to him after the night of partying.” Marc left with a smile, although he is bald.

“Isn’t that good for you, Lala? I know I shouldn’t be saying this but I am quite aware that you have been ignoring your training because you are duty-bound. I shall let you learn things from them.” Meriyal said while she rubs on Lala’s head.

“Princess, stop that! I’m not a kid anymore!” Lala protested with a pout.

“Ah, but you are the youngest among us so I can’t help it. Anyway, where’s Hansen?” Meriyal diverted the topic.

“Please stop rubbing my head! Princess! Pri-! Fine! Meriyal, please stop it!” Lala hesitatingly tried to grab onto Meriyal’s wrist.

“Ah, that’s better. Since you and Ries are my dearest friends, even in this kind of simple occasion, I’d like to be with the two of you like we used to. Anyway, seriously, where’s Hansen?” Meriyal frowns upon failing to spot Hansen within their group.

“Ah, sorry, Princess Meriyal. I sent out Hansen and Eiru on an errand.” Teth passes by with heaps of sizzling delicious foods and told Meriyal about Hansen.

“What a shame. By the way, Sir Teth, I would like to have some of your best dish for the night. Can you perhaps serve a fish?” Meriyal requested.

“Aye.” Teth simply replied while he distributes the food.

In one corner of the club sat Alef with a rather anxious countenance as she stares hard at one person. Not only her face is extremely flushed but she is also nervous.

“Isn’t that…isn’t that…Elder brother Teth?! Eh?! Wait?! Waaah?! He doesn’t seem to remember me. No, that’s my mission, to begin with, to find a way to return his memories!” Alef thought as she presses her head back on the soft sofa.

Noticing that Alef is in an extremely uncomfortable mood, Teth starts walking towards her.

“What’s wrong? Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook a dish for you? Or a drink? Which do you prefer?” Teth calmly asked with a gentle smile on his face while crouching down on Alef’s eye level.

“Arrggghhbluruglugublurugghhhaahhhh! I’m fine! I’m fine! Please stay away!” Alef panics on her seat as she scampers like a surprised cat.

“Huh?! Ah, okay…I’m sorry for scaring you.” Teth, with an unfading smile, left Alef alone.

Every single one in the room immediately shot a stare at Alef from her unusual reaction. Although they’ve seen her bathed in her own rage and a cold disposition, they never expected her to become red to the point that she looks like a tomato.

“That’s a weird shriek…” Victoria commented as she holds a mug of beer in the air.

Giggle and laughter fill the place as random talks and antics proceeds to encroach the atmosphere. The night is still young and the drinking doesn’t stop until the sun rises.

Despite all this, there are people who are still unsure of what they feel.

Reysha, feeling a little tired from the commotion, felt like she needed some fresh air and proceed to climb to the second floor where a balcony is located.

Upon climbing up, she saw Genesis staring at the starry night sky while she sat on a chair whilst hugging her knees. Genesis took notice of Reysha and gave her a momentary look before gazing back at the stars again.

Reysha ignored Genesis as she doesn’t really have anything specific to talk about, however…

“How does one expresses emotion so openly?” Genesis said without turning to Reysha’s direction. “I’ve devoted my life in pursuit of faith. Now, I’m a little troubled of how to express happiness…” she added with a voice tinged in a somewhat confused tone.

“……” Reysha didn’t answer her question. She herself knows that nothing meaningful may come out of her lips as she herself doesn’t know about it.

“Everything was done by Falikh. He did it so I can be freed of anyone’s clutches, yet, I don’t know how to express the correct emotion. I guess there’s a huge difference between emotions that your body naturally simulated than emotions you want to show.” Genesis lightly concluded.

“I don’t know how to become a mother to him. I don’t even know how to interact properly with my own son, yet, I’m still being showered by kindness.” Genesis followed with saddened words.

“…You…stop immersing yourself in that self-pity. Do you know how you sounded like right now? In the first place, does Falikh say anything to you that will demean you? He was doing his best for your own sake in his own way. If you cannot be affectionate as a mother, try expressing your thoughts as someone close to him, like a friend or something.” Reysha, becoming annoyed of Genesis’ monologues, calmly uttered those words towards Genesis.

“That’s easy for you to say…not everyone is comfortable with either friends or family. In the past…I had none to call that. That’s why I don’t know what to do…” Genesis replied with a tone of anguish but she doesn’t show it on her face.

“Hmmm…that’s fine. Each people conform to their own idea, at least, by their own culture. Your son is mentally strong so I don’t think you should worry about him too much.” Reysha sat on a chair near the balcony as she talked.

“Your words are rather cold but I at least agree that everyone has their own beliefs and way in life. Disposition aside, I’m troubled on how to smile too. Even cracking a humor like what Alef said is hard for me.” Genesis changes the topic.

“Humor, huh. You are talking to the wrong person then.” Reysha simply replied accompanied by a frown.

“Oddly, it’s comfortable talking to someone as edgy as you.” Genesis rebutted.

“You do realize that you yourself shouldn’t even start talking about that.” Reysha’s frown turned into a slight grin.

“Now that we are on the topic, you are rather someone head shorter than everyone else…” Genesis started another mundane talk.

“As if you are someone better in that aspect.” Reysha calmly replied.

“I think I can practice humor with you.” Genesis said as she turns towards Reysha with her lips slightly curved upwards.

“What’s there to practice, you fool.” Reysha rebutted.